Simple restoration overlooked

Re: "Corps says it may spend $1 billion for wetlands, " Page 1, Sept. 1. I'm delighted to read that the Army Corps of Engineers is able to spend between $400 million and $1.1 billion on coastal restoration in Louisiana.

I only hope they are able to seriously consider reaching out to the community, in addition to the local government for open-ended suggestions on efficient ways to maximize such a large sum of money.

Simple solutions such as organizing coastal volunteer weekends (such as Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana), earthen terraces and training workshops for local landowners to help preserve our wetlands are being overlooked.

Although the extensive, large scale research and planning are necessary, there has to be a point when sitting in front of a computer can't possibly help us as much as a hard days' work -- outside and in the fields.